Soaring heat, storms and rain have given us an exciting and very early spring. Bloom Thyme is welcome any time. Weather is certainly keeping us on our toes! Our hearts go out to all of you who have been affected by the terrible storms bouncing around. Especially our friends in Houston. You are in our prayers.

THE ROSES ARE COMING BACK 🎉

Every year in the deep dark part of winter when everything is so dead, it seems doubtful that the garden will come back — but it always does. Oh, the many miracles of spring!

Here are a few of the early birds catching my attention in a big way!

CROWN PRINCESS MARGARETA

I planted the princess last year but only had a few blooms. This year she is knocking it out of the park. Just look at the form. I wish you could enjoy the fragrance – she is amazing. When I see this color in my garden it still surprises me as for so many years I resisted. I have always fancied pink roses and the creamy colored ones! Now I welcome the Crown Princess Margareta and others with similar coloring … Bathsheba, Lady of Shallot, Rise Up Amberness and At Last. 

EARTH ANGEL

She is angelic! I just love this rose and it is a great day when she blooms. Each year she gets better and better. A healthy Kordes rose with old fashioned beauty, form and fragrance! She’s just getting started and there are many buds yet to open.

SWEET FRAGRANCE

This is the second year for this little beauty. I bought her at Lowe’s for under $25. She is part of the beautiful roses from the great hybridizer Ping Lim and part of the Easy Elegance collection. She is a standout in form, color and in fragrance. She is small to medium sized and would be great for a container! 

PLUM PERFECT

Last year I added 3 of these to the garden and they were good performers! This year they are going from good to GREAT. They are starting out with a bang. This beauty is from Star Roses and Plants/Kordes Sunbelt collection. They are bred for intense heat and they are sure getting a work out. This week it has been near 90 everyday. (IN MAY!!) Their medium size would make it a good candidate for most any garden and in a container too. 

MOTHER OF PEARL

You know I love her. I have 9 shrubs! She never disappoints.

EASY ON THE EYES

This is an almost bullet proof rose from great hybridizer Tom Carruth. Beauty, healthy and fragrant! Those colors!!

THE FAWN

The Fawn is a rose you don’t hear much about – unless you talk to me!! I absolutely love her! She was released in 1983 in Denmark and has had many names… The Faun, Bossa Nova, and My Granny. She is a healthy, beautiful, blooming machine that can tolerate some shade! If you are interested in having her in your garden, Heirloom Roses sells this one as The Fawn and Roses Unlimited sells her as The Faun.

EUSTACIA VYE

The wait is over. You know that both Mr. G and I have been sooooo excited about Eustacia Vye! (He loves her name.) Her first blooms are open and she does not disappoint. She is perfect. We have two shrubs and the other one is budded up and almost ready!! 💕💕

BUYING ROSES ONLINE

Of course we want to buy local when we can, but many of the roses I grow and recommend are not sold locally. Below are the online sources that I use. I have a history with all of these companies and they are well represented in my garden! 😉  LINK

Where to buy roses…

ROSE FOOD

For those who have asked what I’m feeding my roses this spring…

For established roses I used a combination of Rose Tone and Scott’s Rose and Bloom. For new roses… I planted them with Earth Worm Castings and watered in with Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer. Ben from Heirloom convinced me of this with the information that comes with their roses. When I next need fish food for roses, I’m going to order Heirloom’s Founders Fish Fertilizer. (link)

So far so good. Everyone is happy. I’ll fertilize again after the first flush to push for more!

Confession: Through the years I have used many different products on my roses. I do like to change it up a bit. However my most consistent products have been Mill Mix and Mills Mix Easy Feed, Rose Tone, Scotts Rose and Bloom and Fish Emulsion. I am interested in trying Heirloom Roses Founders Fish Fertilizer – when I need to purchase more (LINK).

I have not tried a product that didn’t work, so my thoughts are that roses aren’t as picky as many think. As always follow the directions on the container. I truly believe under fertilizing is better than over fertilizing. 

IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM…

If you think something is “off” it might be a good time for a soil test! The lab I have used in the past is Great Lakes Labs. (LINK)

ROSE CHAT

GROWING ROSES IN CONTAINERS
Jason Croutch, Fraser Valley Rose Farm
RELEASE DATE: Sun, May 26

LISTEN HERE.

On this episode Jason shares his favorite roses to grow in containers as well as tips to help us be successful. Regardless of your soil type or the size of your garden, growing in containers gives us all more options. Keep up with Jason on the Fraser Valley Rose Farm YouTube Channel. (LINK)

ROSEFEST COMING SOON!

The Indianapolis Rose Society’s annual event ROSEFEST – Saturday, June 8. It will be a lovely day of roses. Speakers, demonstrations, rose garden tour, giveaways, vendors and a fun People’s Choice Rose Show. Bring your roses to enter or come be a judge! 

All the details are on the Indianapolis Rose Society website HERE. 

SPRING LOVE

As I look at my garden this morning with all the beautiful blooms and the weeds too, I am reminded that….

Happy Gardening Friends.